Impulse starter and ignition booster for internal-combustion engines



Nov. 13,1923. 1,473,725

L. C. HALL IMPULSE STARTER AND IGNITION BOOSTER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTIONENGINES File 18. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I gdDHaH W M Q! M d HRWWQ Nov.13,1923. 1,473,125

' L. C. HALL IMPULSE STARTER AND IGNITION BOOSTER FOR INTERNALCOMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Jan. 18. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwum lloz LEE].Illall Nov- '13 1923. 1,473,725

L. c. HALL IMPULSE STARTER AND IGNITION BOOSTER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTIONENGINES Filgd Jan- 18 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 J EL T at z 65 Z w 68Patented Nov. 13, 1923.

1,413,725 PATENT orrlcs.

LEYEL C. HALL, OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

IMPULSE STARTER AND IGNITION BOOSTER FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed January 18, 1922. Serial No. 530,108.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEYEL C. HALL, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county ofM-ultnomah and 6 State of Oregon, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in, Impulse Starters and Ignition Boosters for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

Tl'llS invention relates to attachments for internal combustion enginesand is an improvement of my pending application, filed latch 18, 1921,Serial No. 453,259, and the primary object of the present invention is16 the provision of a novel combined means for starting an internalcombustion engine and for insuring and facilitating the firing of thecharge in internal combustion engines utilizing a low grade fuel, suchas kerosene.

V Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel device,for associating with the spark plug opening of each cylinder of aninternal combustion engine, embodying a supplemental firing chamber ofnovel 2 construction, and ignition means of novel compresse constructionfor firing the charge in said sup lemental firing chamber, and means forfee ing compressed air and high test fuel to the, su plemental firingchamber, the

d air being utilized in connection with high test fuel 'for starting theengine,

means being provided for stopping the fiow of the compressed air afterthe engine has i. once been started.

3 i A further object of the invention is the 3m auxiliary carburetor forthe provision of means for permitting the carburetion of high test fuelin the device as the same enters the supplemental firing chamber,whereby the necesslty of providing igh test fuel is eliminated, the airfor mixing with the high test fuel being under control of a valve, whichis normal y held upon its seat -.avhen compressed air is being suppliedto 4 "the device for starting purposes.

A still further object of the invention is the revision of a novelstarting and 1gn1- tion tor for internal combustion engines gmbodying acasing having a supplemental ring chamber therein, a pair of Independentinsulated electrodes disposed therein, and an intermediate electrodegrounded to the casing, an independent circuit for each insulatedelectrode, one of the circuits be- 66 ing utilized for starting theengine and the other circuit being utilized for running the enmneafterthe same has been started.

3 still further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedstarting and ignition booster for internal combustion engines embodyinga firing chamber, a fuel inlet, an auxiliary air inlet. for permittingair to combine with the fuel when the engine is running under normalconditions, and a compressed air inlet for combining with the fuelduring the initial tarting of the engine. 7

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device ofthe above (.lllll acter which can be readily disassembled when necessaryor desirable, in order to permit the easy cleaning thereof and thereplacement of parts when worn or broken.

Vl'ith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel construction, arrangement and formationof. arts, as will behereinafter more specificall; described, claimcd and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of,-.this specification, in whichdrawings;

Figure 1 is a vertical section through an internal combustion engineshowing the improved attachment applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the improved attachment applied to acylinder of an internal combustion engine.

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectionthrough the improvedattachment.

Figure 4 is a section through the attachment taken on the line 44 ofFigure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the valve member forcontrolling the entrance of the fuel and the compressed air into theattachment. 7

l igure 6 is a plan View of the coupling or union utilized forconnecting the parts of the attachment together.

Figure 7 is a vertical section through the coupling or union taken onthe line 77 of Figure 6, and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevation of the feed pipe for compressed airshowing the valve arranged therein and the switch for controllin thecircuit through one of the ignition evices, the switch being shownpartly in section.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar referencecharacters designate morresponding parts throughout the several views,the letter A indicates the internal combustion engine, and B, theimproved atachment for'starting the engine and for facilitating theexploding or ignition of low grade fuel when used therewith.

The engine A may be of the usual or any preferred character and as shownincludes a plurality of cylinders 10 provided with the usual inlet ports11, and valves 12 for controlling the flow of fuel therethrough. .\sshown. the cylinders 10 have reciprocably mounted therein in the usualmanner the pistons 13. The inlet port 11 has communicating therewith theusual inlet manifold 14 which has communicating therewith an ordinarycarburetor 15. The carburetor 15 is supplied with fuel from the tank 16which is adapted to contain low grade fuel. such as kerosene or thelike. The head 17 of each cylinder 10 is provided with the usual sparkplug opening 13, in which. in this instance. is adapted to be fitted theimproved attachment B.

The improved attachment B comprises a housing 20 for each one of thecylinders 10, relativelv small auxiliary fuel tank 21. and a tan 2:! forcontaining compressed air for facilitating the starting of the engine.The tank 21 for containing the high tcst gasoline is connected by meansof a lead p'pe 23. with a longitudinally extendin" mani f ld pipe 24.which has connection witli all of the housings 20 as will be hereinaftermore fullv a iparent as the description proceeds. The f uel feed pipe 23may have interposed therein a suitable valve 25, for controlling the howof fuel therethrough, and this pipe is of course adapted to feed thefuel of a relatively high grade. The compressed air tank 22 is connectedby a pipe 26 with the manifold pipe 27, which is in turn'connectcd bv ameans which will be hereinafter more fully described, with all of thehousings 20. A valve 28 is interposed in the lead pipe 26 of thecompressed air, in order to control the passage of the compressed airthrough the pipe, and this valve including a slidin valve stem having ahead 29 and u on t e operation of the valve, a circuit is a apted to beclosed for igniting a charge in each one of the housings as will also behereinafter" re fully described.

Each ofthe "ousings 20 include an upper section 30 and a lower section31 which is ada ted to be connected with each cylinder he'a The lowersection 31 includes a threaded nipple 32, whiclris threaded within thes' ark plug opening 18 of the cylinder hang l'lfnnd this nipple has aninwardly exten girnizgon the upper end of the nipple and adapted to beengaged by a coupling 35, which is shaped to conform to the upper end:of the, 11191310. This coupling 35 is pro- V! which are 'atlnptedtoreceive bolts 37 ex- .from entering into the same.

tapered bore 33.- Ashoulder 34 is de'd wilthfoutwardly extending ears36,

tended throu h ears 38 formed on the upper section 30, which will now bedescribed.

The upper section 30 has/formed therein a firing chamber 39 at itsforward end, and this chamber is provided with a flared pas sageway 40which is adapted to communicalc with the tapered bore 33 of the lowersection 31. The upper end of the section 30 is provided with alongitudinally extending tubular casing 40, through which the fuel, thecompressed air. and the auxiliary air is adapted to flow into the firingchamber 39, and this casing communicates with the upper end of thefiring chamber. The casing 40 is provided with means which will behereinafter more fully described for controlling the flow of fuel andair thcrethrough and for preventing the products of combustion Thesection 40 has also formed thereon the radially extending, downwardlyinclined sleeves 41 and 4.2. in which are adapted to be positioned theinsulated electrodes 43 and 44. The inner ends of the sleeves 41 and 42communicate with the. tiring chamber 39 at a point substantiallyintermediate its ends. The sleeves 41 and 42 have the bores theieofenlarged intermediate their ends to provide shoulders 45. on which areadapted to restthe insulated bod portions 46 of the electrodes 43 and44. The insulated bodies 46 of the electrodes 43 and 44 are providedwhich shoulders 47 for fitting upon the shoulders 45 and the shoulders47 are held on the shoulders 45 by suitable retaining or packing nuts48. The electrode 43 has electrically connected thereto thev ordinarywire 49 leading from the ordinary ignition system. while the electrode-44 has connected thereto awirc 50 leading from an auxiliary ignitionsystem which includes a suitable battery 51 and coil 51. This ignitionsystem is controlled by a switch 52. whi h is operated by the compressed air valve 28, as heretobefore stated, and which will behereinafter more fully-described. An adjustable electrode 53 is can riedby the section 30 and is dis osed opposite the electrodes 43 and 44. hiselectrode 58 is grounded to the housing 20 and consequently to the frameof the engine similar to the. shell of an ordinary spark lug. Theelectrode 53 is held in an preferresition against displacement y means 0a locking nut 54. When the regular ignition system is in use, it will beseen that a-double spark will be provided as the spark will jump fromthe electrode 43 to the electrode 44 and then to the ground electrode53. The forward'end of the casing 40 is closed by a threaded plug '55,which permits the convenient cleaning of the firing chamber when soclesireih '.he rear endof the sleeve or easi closed by-a rcmov'ablehead56, which 33pml The inner end of the pipe 58 may 'cate with thepassageways 57.

vided with a central passageway 57. This passageway 57 has communicatingwith the upper end thereof a pipe 58, which is in turn connected to themanifold feed ipe 24.

e provided with a valve seat 59 on which is adapted to normally seat aball 60 when compressed air is permitted to flow into the head as willbe hereinafter more fully set forth.

An inwardly extending passageway 61 is formed in the head, and thispassageway communicates intermediate its ends with the passageway 57,and this passageway 61 constitutes the inlet for compressed air and hasthreaded therein a relatively short pipe 62, which communicates with acompressed air manifold or lead pipe 27. The inner end of the relativelyshort pipe 62 may be provided with a valve seat, on which is ada ted tonormally seat a ball valve 63, whic is retained in its normal seatingposition b means of an expansion coil spring 64, whic is disposed withinthe passageway 61. Thus the escape 'of air through t is pi e is normallyprevented, and this valve a so acts to prevent the passage of fuel intothe same when the flow of air through the manifold feed pipe 27 iscut-ofi. Extending directly through the head 56 and into the casing isthe control or metering plug 65. The control or metering plug 65 isprovided with an inwardlv extending bore 66 and with radially extendingpassageways 67 which communi- The outer end of the control plug 65 isprovided with a nut head 68,-whereby the same may be convenientlyadjusted b a wrench or the like. It can be seen that by adjusting theplug,

' more or less of the radially extending passageways 67 will beuncovered, thus controlling the amount of fuel entering into the casing40. The inner end of the metering plu is provided with a valve seat 69and a conical valve 70 is adapted to fit on the seat and extend into thebore 66 thereof. The inner end of the valve 70 is rovided with a guidesleeve 71 which is sli ably mounted within the hollow stem 72 of a maincontrol valve 73, which is normally held on a seat 74 formed on theinner end of the casin 40 by means of an expansion spring 7 5. hisexpansion sprin 75 is disposed directly in the hollow stem 20f the valveand engages at one end against a stationary pin 76, which is threadedthrough the casing 40 and extended through suitable slots (7 formed inthe stem 7 2 for that purpose. The opposite end of the spring 75 bearsagainst a cross cotter pin 78, carried by the stem. A guide 60 may beprovided with an oil openin is provided for the stem 72 and this guidefor permittin of the lubrication thereo A suitable oil plug 81 can bethreaded into the casing 40 into enga ement with the guide and servesthe dual unction for permitting the lubrication of the dguide and theholding of the same against isplacement. An expansion sprin 82. is disosed in the sleeve 71 of the vafve 70 an this spring also engages thecotter pin 78 and this spring tends to normally hold the conical valve70 on its seat and in the bore 66 of the control in 65. Suitable uideslots 71 are formed in te sleeve 71 of t e valve 70 for the cotter pin78 and these slots permit movement of the valve 70 in relation to theseat.

The stem 72 of the valve 73 is provided adjacent each end thereof withentrance openings 83 for permitting the flow of fuel and airtherethrough.

The casing 40 adjacent to the rear end thereof is provided with adepending body 85 in which is threaded a tube 86, which per mits theentrance of air into the casing 40. The inner end of the tube isprovided with a valve seat for the reception of a ball valve 87. A wirescreen cap 88 can be provided for housing the ball valve to prevent displacement thereof.

The switch 52, utilized for controlling the circuit through theauxiliary i ition means,

includes a base plate 91 forme of insulating material which may haveembedded therein spaced contacts 92 and 93. The contact 92 may haveconnected thereto in any preferred manner, a resilient arm 94' which isada ted to overlie the contact 93. In order to c ose the circuit whenthe compressed air is used for starting purposes, the head or handle ofthe valve is provided with an outwardl extending arm 94, which isrovided with a hooked end 95, for engaging the resilient arm 94'. Anysuitable type of switch can be provided for closing the circuit throughthe auxiliary ignition system and this switch has been merely shown byway of example and the switch can be manually operated or operated inany preferred manner by the stem of the air valve or in a manner asshown in the drawings.

In operation of the improved attachment, when it is desired to start theengine, the valve 25 is o ned, and the fuel from the high testta 21 ispermitted to flow by gravity into the passageway 57. After the valve 25has been opened, the compressed air valve 28 is o ened b depressing thehead 29, which will permit the air to flow throu h the ipe 26 and unseatthe valve 63 an flow mto the passageway 57 The forcible entrance of thecompressed air to the passageway 57 will carry the fuel through theopenings 67, through the bore 66 of the metering tube and forces thevalve 70 oil of its seat, the valve 73 from off of its seat, and themixture will then flow into the firing chamber 39 into the cylinders ofthe engine. -U n release of the valve handle 29, the hoe ed end 95 ofthe arm 94 will flex the resilient arm 94? and force the same intoengagement with the contact 93, thus closingthe circuit through theauxiliary ignition system and causing a spark through the electrode 44and the electrode 53, which will, of course, ignite the charge ormixture in the firing chamber 39 and in the cylinders. When the chargeis fired, the pistons in the cylinders will be operated in propersequence, which will draw the fuel into the cylinders in the ordinarymanner and thus permit the starting of the engine.

After the engine has started running, the im roved attachment willoperate in the following manner. The pistons operating in the cylinderswill create a sufficient suction within the firing chambers 39 to causethe unseating of the valves 73 and 70 and to suck the fuel from thepassageway 57 and air from the auxiliary passageway or tube "86.Simultaneous with the sucking of the charge into the auxiliary firingchamber 39, a charge will be drawn into the cylinders in the ordinarymanner through the manifold 14 and the ordinary carburetor l5. ''Uponthe closing of the circuit of the ordinary ignition system, sparks fromthe elec trodes 43 and 53 will, of course, fire the charge in the firingchamber 39, which will reject a relatively large sheet of flame into hecylinder, thus causing the firing of a charge within the cylinders.-This sheet of flame tends to compress the ordinary charge within thecylinders and thus increase the likelihood of the firin thereof. Whenthe engine is operating un er normal conditions,-

the valve 28 is of course, held in closed position, so as to prevent theflow of compressed air into the attachment. It can be seen that when thecompressed air is per- 'mitted to flow into the casing 40, the valvewill be forced upon its seat and thus prevent the flow of compressed airinto the fuel suppl manifold, From t e foregoing description, it can beseen that an improved device has been rovided for not only facilitatingthe ignitmg of fuel of the heavy ty e, such as kerosene, but also forstarting t e on ine. Changes in details may he ma e without departingfrom the spirit or scope of this invention; but,

I 1 \i 1. A combined starting and charge igniting device for internalcombustion engines, "*comprisin a casing having direct communicationwith the cylinder heads of an engine, a firin chamber in the casing,means for introducmg' file and compressed air in the casing, and meansfor firing the charge in said '1 2. A combined starting and chargeigniting device for internal comhustioncngines a casing havindlrectcommumcom the cylmders'o an internal comnation 22:1,, @h'mbarining, fuel and compressed air supplying means communicating with thecasing, valves for controlling the flow of fuel and compressed air andmeans for firing a charge in the firing chamber.

3. A starting and igniting device for internal combustion enginescomprising a casing having direct communication with the cylinders, ofan internal combustion engine, a firing chamber in the casing, anignitin device positioned in the firing chamber, fue and compressed airsupplying means communicating with the casing, valves for closing thepassageway for fuel and compressed air, and an auxiliary air inletcommunicating with the casin 4. In a device For facilitating the use oflow grade fuel in internal combustion engines and for starting internalcombustion engines, the combination with an internal combustion engineincluding cylinders, an explosion chamber in each one of the cylinders,an inlet port for each one of the cylinders, an inlet valve disposed ineach port for controlling the flow of the charge through the ports,means for feeding low grade fuel through said orts, of a casingincluding a relatively sma l explosion chamher, a fuel inlet portcommunicating with the chamber, means for feeding a high test fuel tosaid port, a compressed air inlet port, means for feeding compressed airthrough said port, and an ignition device disposed in said explosionchamber.

5. In ameans for facilitating the use of low grade fuel in internalcombustion engines and for starting internal combustion engines, thecombination with internal combustion engines,including cylinders havingopenings therein for receiving the usual spark plugs, an inlet ort foreach cylinder, a valve for controlling the flow of fuel through eachinlet port, means for feeding low gravity fuel through the ports, and acasing detachably fitted in each one of said openings including arelatively small exp osion chamber, a tapered bore for communicationwith the explosion chamber of each cylinder, an inlet port formed in thecasin for communicatin with the explosion cham er therein, an in ct portfor compressed air formed in the casing and communicationwith theexplosion chamber, a valve for normally closing the inlet port for thecompressed air, and an igniting device arranged in the ex losionchamber, and a normally closed va ve for preventing the entrance of thefuel and air into the firing chamber.

6. The combination with an internal comcasing having a firing chambertherein communicating with said opening, an ignition ucvice carried bysaid casing for firing the charge in said chamber, a valve seat formedin the casing above the explosion chamber, a sliding valve normallyarranged to fit upon said seat, a fuel inlet port formed in the casingin rear of said seat, and an auxiliary air inlet formed in said casingin rear of said seat.

T. The combination with a cylinder including an opening having a headtherein, an inlet port, a valve for controllingthe ."low of fuel throughsaid inlet port, a fuel tank, means for connecting the fuel tank withthe inlet port, of a casing communicah ng with the opening including arelatively .uuall explosion chamber, an igniting device for firing thecharge in said chamber, a valve seat formed in the chamber, a headcarried by the casing, a fuel inlet port formed in the head, and a valveincluding a hollow stem slidably mounted in the easing and arranged tonormally fit upon said seat, a second valve carried by the firstmentioned valve normally preventing the entrance of fuel from the headinto said casing, a valve controlled air inlet port formed in the casinin advance of said head, and a compressed air inlet port formed in thehead.

8 A device for starting internal combustion engines and for firing thecharges of internal combustion engines comprising a casing having arelatively small explosion chamber therein, means for connecting thecasing with a cylinder, 9. head, a longitudinally extending sleeveconnecting the head with the casing, an ignitingxlevice carried by thecasing for firin the charge, the inner end of the sleeve aving a guideseat formed thereon, a valve for normally resting upon said seat, ahollow stem formed on the valve having ports formed in the op positeends thereof, means for slidahly mounting the valve and stem in saidsleeve, a pair of inlet ways formed in said head for the reception offuel and compressed air, a central way for air formed in the sleevecommunicating with the interior thereof, a pin carried by said sleeveand extendin through the port of said stem nearest sai fi lve, a springcarried by and fitted in said stem and resting against said pin tonormally close the valve, ballvalves for the inlet ways, a control tubecarried by the head and extending into the sleeve, and a valve slidablycarried by the stem of the first mentioned valve for fitting in saidcontrol tube.

.9. In an attachment {or internal combustion engines comprising a.casing having an explosion chamber therein. a relatively small taperedoutlet port communicating with the explosion chamber, an attachingnipple having a. tapered'way therein for communication with the taperedbore of the casing, means for detachably connecting the casing andattachin" nipple together, ahead, a sleeve formetr longitudinally on thecasin and receiving said head, a valve seat formed on the inner end onthe sleeve, a valve for seating upon said seat, spring means fornormally holding the valve upon its seat, inlet ways formed in the headfor fuel'and compressed air, and an auxiliary inlet formed in thesleeve, and spaced electrodes carried by the casing on opposite sides ofthe explosion chamber.

10. In an attachment for internal combustion engines comprising a casinghaving an explosion chamber therein, a relativelysmall tapered outletport communicating with the explosion chamber, an attaching nipplehavinga tapered way therein for communication with the tapered bore ofthe. casing, means for detachably connecting the casing and attachinnipple together, a head, a sleeve form longitudinally on the casing andreceiving said head, a valve seat formed on the inner end of the sleeve,a valve for seating upon said seat, spring means for normally holdingthe valve upon its seat, inlet ways formed in the head for fuel andcompressed air, an auxiliary inlet formed in the sleeve, spacedelectrodes carried by the casin on opposite sides of the explosion chamr, and means for adjusting one of said electrodes in relation to theother electrodes.

11. An attachment for internal combustion engines comprising a casinghaving an explosion chamber therein, means for introducing fuel and airinto the chamber, valves for controlling the flow of air and fuel intothe chamber, a pair of spaced insulated electrodes carried by the casingin sparking relation to one another, a central electrode grounded to thecasing and in sparking relation to one of said insulated electrodes, andindependent ignition circuits for the in sulated electrodes.

12. An attachment for internal combustion engines comprising a casinghaving an explosion chamber therein, means for introducing fuel and airinto the chamber, valves for controlling the flow of fuel and air intoth chamber, a pair of radially extending sleeves carried by the casingand communicating with the explosion chamber, insulated electrodesfitted in said sleeves extending into the explosion chamber, anadjustable electrode carried b and grounded to the casing, meanselectrically connectin the casin and one of the insulated electrodes tothe ordinary ignition system of an internal combustion engine, anauxiliary ignition system, and means for connecting the auxiliary iition system with the other insulated e ectrode and easing. v

13. An attachment for internal e mbus-' the insulated electrodes withthe ordinary ignition system of an internal combustion engine,/anauxiliarv ignition system including a battery, a coil, a control switch,means connecting the system with the casing and the other insulatedelectrode, and means for operating said switch upon movement of saidvalve for controlling the How of air to the explosion chamber.

14. An attachment for internal combustion engines comprising a casinghaving an explosion chamber therein, a. longitudinally extending sleeveformed on the casing, a head detachably secured to one end of thesleeve, the opposite end of the sleeve having a valve seat formedthereon communicating with the explosion chamber, a longitudinallysliding valve disposed in the sleeve for fitting upon the seat, a fuelinlet way formed in the'upper end of the sleeve, a compressed air inletway formed in the lower end of the the fuel inlet way, a normally closedball valve for the eomnressed air way, a spring pressed valve slidablycarried by the first mentioned valve for fitting in the bore of the 7control plug 15. An attachment for internal combustion enginescomprising a casing having an explosion chamber therein, alongitudinally extending sleeve formed on the upper end of ,the casinghaving its forward end communieating with th explosion chamber andprovided with a "alve seat, a head secured to the outer end of thesleeve, a valve for fitting upon the seat including a longitudinallyextending hollow stem having ports formed in the opposite ends thereof,a guide mounted in said sleeve for said valve, air inlet and fuel inletways formed in the head, a control plug carried by the head extendinginto the sleeve, a valve slidably mounted in the stem of the firstmentioned valve for fitting in the plug, and an auxiliary air inletvalve carried by the sleeve, and ignition devices carried by the casing.

LEYEL C. HALL.

